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Asean retracts strong statement on S. China sea rows: Malaysia

Wed, Jun 15, 2016 - 12:27 AM

[KUALA LUMPUR] Southeast Asian countries have retracted a statement that expressed deep concern over recent events in the South China Sea, Malaysia said on Tuesday, adding that "urgent amendments" would be made.

"We have to retract the media statement by the Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) foreign ministers... as there are urgent amendments to be made," a Malaysian foreign ministry spokeswoman said.

She said the Asean Secretariat approved the release of the statement, then later informed the ministry it was being retracted.

The ministry had released a statement hours earlier following a meeting of the Chinese and Asean foreign ministers - hosted by China - that appeared to rebuke Beijing over its actions in the waterway.

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"We expressed our serious concerns over recent and ongoing developments, which have eroded trust and confidence, increased tensions and which may have the potential to undermine peace, security and stability in the South China Sea," the Asean communique had said, without mentioning China by name.